A 52-acre riverfront park for Cincinnati is taking shape, even if — for the moment — it's only in meeting rooms.

The proposed riverfront park will include a commons area, a river walk and large fountains (Architect rendering) | ZOOM FOR INFOGRAPHIC |

        Broad concepts for the $89 million park, meant to be the centerpiece of Cincinnati's redeveloped riverfront and connect people to the city's Ohio River roots, have been realized by architects on paper and in a plastic scale model.

        The latest ideas for the park were shared in a pair of public meetings Wednesday. Design now moves to more specific construction renderings that detail materials, specifications and budget.

        The park will sweep west to east from Paul Brown Stadium to Great American Ball Park. It will have a gentle decline from Ted Berry Way to the water's edge.

        And it's meant to have something for everyone.

        Here's a brief tour:

        • The park will sit 15 feet below Ted Berry Way. That elevation change will act as a flood wall to protect downtown from high water and give people atop the wall sweeping views of the park. Underneath the flood wall will be restrooms and storage areas for festival equipment. The decline to the river is more gentle after the initial drop.

        • A large public festival area, called Roebling Commons, will feature a children's playground and carousel. On the eastern-most portion of this area, between Race and Main streets, are replica bases and a pitcher's mound in the exact locations they sat in Cinergy Field. Two of the bases will be granite and be engraved in Main Street.

        • Another playground will sit in the far western corner of the park. This play area will be educational, with replica riverboats, railroad cars and mounds of fake coal.

        • A public boat landing will sit east of the playground.

        • Near the boat landing will be a 4-acre open amphitheater for concerts. Next door to the amphitheater is an archaeological area where 19th Century building foundations will be preserved.

        • A wharf area featuring restaurants will be on the western-most edge of the park, near the football stadium. The wharf will be elevated out of the flood plain.

        The city's Urban Design Review Board has expressed concern about the ultimate design of these buildings, saying a rustic fishing village theme could clash with the modern Paul Brown Stadium.

        • A small amphitheater will overlook a concrete landing featuring giant fountains that will shoot arching streams of water more than 70 feet.

        • Vertical walkways or piers, that are extensions of downtown streets, will cut through the park. One of the two piers will extend into the water.

        The park is vitally important to the riverfront neighborhood, known as The Banks, which will feature housing, shops, retail and office space built atop parking garages.

        Tim Sharp, president of the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, said he likes what he sees. The Port Authority is overseeing the development.

        “This park reinforces what we're trying to make happen — getting people closer to the river and give them some activities,” Mr. Sharp said.

The goal: Something for everyone
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